Michigan Bass fishing is unique in some ways, normal in others. It is a Northern state in as such can be fished with many of the same tactics as other similar areas. Michigan however is like fishing two states in one. The Upper Peninsula has completely different lakes and requires different tactics than the middle or Southern portions of the state.
The crank bait is the artificial lure of choice for the deeper water sections of the state. You typically use the crankbait in bodies of water with little or no weed growth. The effectiveness of this lure diminishes in these areas. Crankbaits work best in waters with rocky bottom and work well in rivers. The key to suing a crankbait for Largemouth Bass is to select bait that runs close to the bottom, occasionally bumping the bottom. When you look at a crankbait you will notice that is has a small plastic lip attached to the front of the lure near where the line is attached. This lip determines how deeply the crankbait will run as it is retrieved. You need to keep a variety of different crankbaits in your box as you will not only need to correct depth but color and body style as well. This is where knowing the available forage comes in handy.
If you know the bass are feeding on minnows that are long and thin you can match the forage with the selection of a long and thin crankbait. If they are feeding on bluegills or shad you know a larger round crankbait like a Rapala Fat rap is in order.
The spinner bait is a lure for bass that is universally good. It is a versatile lure that can be fished in many different ways and many different locations. It works best in weed growth. The best location for using this lure would be a section of lily pads, reeds or other weed growth above the water. This lure is semi weedless and can be fished in these areas successfully. I like to skip it through the growth allowing it to drop in pockets of the weeds. This is where many strikes will occur, while the bait drops. It is important that as you allow the bait to drop you keep a section of the line in your fingers. This will allow you to feel for the subtle signs of a pickup. When fishing in this manner the bass will often pick the bait up without slamming it. It is essential that you identify these pickups before the bait is dropped.
Top water fishing for Largemouth Bass is perhaps the most exciting way to fish. You can use a spinnerbait for this type of fishing or you can use traditional topwater bait. They key to topwater fishing in Michigan is a varied retrieve.
A favorite tactic of mine is to cast the lure out and simply allow it to float on the water for as long as thirty to sixty seconds. This often catches the attention of a bass. Another possibility is that the initial impact of the lure on the water will make the bass wary. Delaying your retrieve for a minute reduces the wariness factor. When I retrieve the bait I do so with a series of short moves at the beginning.
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